Real {Atlanta} Wedding: Rabbiyah + Shawn

The college experience is quite often a life-altering one. Many find that they make friends that last a lifetime, begin journeys that will place them on the path to their dreams, and have encounters that shape the rest of their lives. For a few fortunate ones, they also happen to find their life partners: you know, the people who stick close, commit and never ever let go? Rabbiyah and Shawn were fortunate to discover each other in college and they’ll be disovering each other for the rest of their lives.

These images were captured by extraordinarily brilliant fine art and wedding photographer, Ross Oscar Knight, whose artistic style is always impeccable. You have to pay his blog a visit.

The Bride: Rabbiyah Reese
The Groom: Shawn Daffin
The Career: Both are attorneys.
The Wedding Date: September 3, 2011
The Location: W Hotel Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia

The Meeting ….. “Fisk University will always bring back wonderful memories on how we met.  In the fall of 1998, we registered for the same psychology class.  The class met in Park Johnson Hall on the second floor and it was in this classroom where we locked eyes for the very first time.  After admiring me from afar, Shawn patiently waited until the end of the semester to pursue me.  Upon his beckoning, I decided to give him my telephone number.  What began as an interesting conversation between two strangers, eventually led to a fabulous first date at a local Nashville restaurant and the rest, as they say, was history.”

The Proposal ….. “Shawn pleasantly surprised me with a proposal on the sixth anniversary of our first date and I gladly accepted.  We never would have guessed attending a class together would have led to such a phenomenal union.  We both set out on a narrow path many years ago, with many twists and turns personally, professionally, and spiritually, that led us to this very triumphant moment.  It’s incredible how God strategically placed us in each other’s lives.  Twelve years later, with lots of conversing, laughter, and love, we have what appears to be the perfect foundation for what will now be the rest of our lives.”

The Theme ….. “The overall theme of the wedding was monogrammed initials with a very a chic and classic style encompassing various white, ivory, and crème tones with black and an accent color.  I wanted everything to complement my ivory wedding gown, the Amsale Blue Label Bijou, as it was the first item that I purchased to determine the style of the wedding.”

The Vendors ….. “The wedding planning process was quite a challenge.  I resided in Orlando, Florida, my fiancé resided in Houston, Texas, and we were getting married in Atlanta, Georgia at the W Hotel Buckhead.  During the initial stages of planning, I was studying for the Georgia Bar Exam and I knew I could not do it all.  My primary concerns were a photographer and event planner.  I knew that I would need an excellent photographer to capture the entire wedding extravaganza and I also knew that I would need someone to enhance and execute my ideas.

Upon researching various photographers in the Atlanta area and viewing their work, I knew without a doubt that Ross Oscar Knight Photography was a must.  His ability to capture moments so vividly was impressive and an added bonus, he was meticulous with regard to attention to detail.  This was my fiancé’s only assignment and he nailed it.  Ross Oscar Knight was definitely a blessing in disguise.

Upon meeting with three different event planners, I immediately fell in love with Kate Stone at A Legendary Event.  She was perfect.  I told her my primary color palette (white, ivory, crème, and black), provided her with photographs of what I envisioned, and discussed my wedding essentials—a wedding canopy, chavari chairs, and estate tables.  When she inquired about an accent color, I panicked and a new challenge began.”

The Challenges …. “The most challenging part of this process was finding the perfect accent color and the events that transpired as a result.  On two separate weekends, my sisters, who were Maids of Honor, my mother, and I visited met in Atlanta, Georgia to visit Two Birds, Priscilla of Boston, and Bridals by Lori in search of the perfect dresses in the perfect color, which would act as an accent color.  I looked at various shades of red and silver and various styles of black ballroom gowns.  To no avail, I did not find the perfect bridesmaids dress or the perfect accent color.  Feeling a little defeated, I decided to take a break for a few weeks and purchased several magazines to get an idea of how various colors may look against white, ivory, crème, and black.  While flipping through magazines and trying to get an unbiased opinion, I asked my fiancé to pick out a dress that would compliment all of my potential bridesmaids.  He chose the 2011 Lazaro Bridesmaids Dress in Mikado.  Problem solved…at least for the moment.

Yet another challenge erupted.  I still needed to find the perfect shoe in various sizes for 6 women.  At month three and after weeks of searching, all of the girls finally settled on a shoe.  Unfortunately, about six weeks before my wedding, two of my bridesmaids opted not to participate in the wedding.  Despite these shortcomings, the rest of the planning process fell into place as expected.”

The Decor …. “The aisle for the wedding ceremony was decorated with a white carpeted aisle runner that spanned from the ballroom doors to the stage that was covered with a white canopy.  There were a series of glass cylinders filled with water and topped with floating candles.  Some of the containers were filled with submerged white blooms in water.

The stage was dressed in a white stage surround with a front central step leading to the ceremony platform.  The stage was carpeted in all white.  The ceremony took place underneath the white canopy wherein white architectural planter boxes were placed at each corner with glass containers containing floating candles atop.  White blooms also covered the top portion of the canopy and they were used as floral tie backs for the white drapery at each corner of the canopy.

The wedding reception was white and ivory with silver accents.  The pop of unexpected lavender and purple tones, glass containers, and candlelight were used to create a romantic environment atop the estate tables, which were situated as two long estate tables, each sitting 60 guests.  The tablescape for each estate table featured clear glass trumpet shaped containers with pave floral centerpieces and low glass containers with low floral pieces.  Each centerpiece was surrounded with glass votives and small floral satellite pieces sprinkled atop the table.  Each place setting had a silver charger and the tables were surrounded with silver chavari chairs. Our sweetheart table was set underneath the wedding canopy at the front of the ballroom.  The table was covered with low floral centerpieces and glass votives.  The two high back chairs placed behind the table were fit for a king and queen.”

The Food & Reception ….. “During the cocktail hour, guests were served sesame chicken with sweet chili sauce, vegetable spring rolls, and shrimp pot stickers with Thai dipping sauce.  Daffini’s, which was a signature cocktail that Shawn and I created, were also served in addition to a selection of red and white wines. During the reception, guests were served a plated dinner, selecting grilled sirloin or parmesan chicken with steamed asparagus, mashed potatoes, and sautéed seasonal vegetables. Perfect Wedding Cake created a 5-tier wedding cake that resembled one of the flowers from my wedding gown.  Each layer was a different flavor and filling.  Shawn selected a cake that resembled a sky line that included a building similar to the infamous batman building in Nashville, Tennessee as his signature cake.

Anyone that knows the bride is well aware that she enjoys sweets.  So as wedding favors, Pastry Art created baby bites, which were round balls of wedding cake covered in fondant icing, and placed them in monogrammed boxes for each guest.  The various flavors included carrot cake, red velvet cake, chocolate cake, strawberry cake, and caramel cake. PSAV Presentation Services provided the lighting throughout the great room for the ceremony and the reception.”

The Two Become One ….. “Shawn’s brother, Bishop Roderick Johnson of Houston, Texas, and my uncle, Rev. Dr. Michael Jolla of San Antonio, Texas, presided over the ceremony.  Both were able to speak about us as individuals and as a couple.  My uncle had provided us with wisdom and advice since the beginning of our relationship and it was nice to have him speak about our love ……  In addition, Shawn’s brother was able to provide a different perspective of our union and he spoke directly to our hearts not only about our love for God but also our love for one another…..  It was definitely not your “usual ceremony and vows”.”

The Most Unforgettable Moments …. “There were several memorable moments throughout the wedding and it’s hard to choose only one.  The first was walking down the aisle and looking into Shawn’s eyes.  It was surreal and he was the only thing that I could focus on.  I kept telling myself not to cry but it was inevitable once I saw his beautiful smile.  He in turn, was amazed at how stunning I looked as he took his first glimpse of me walking down the aisle.

The next moment was beyond amazing and very unforgettable.  During the ceremony, I arranged for Netra Young to sing our absolute favorite song, I Give Myself Away by William McDowell.  It was in this moment that we knew our blessing had finally come to fruition.  We both felt as though there was no one else in the room other than the two of us before God.  It was priceless and we will cherish it forever.

The final moment that will never be forgotten was during the exchange of rings.  I did not realize that I placed Shawn’s ring on his right hand rather than the left.  Neither one of us realized my mistake until Ross Oscar Knight began to take pictures during the cocktail hour.  It was just one of those “Rabbiyah” moments as Shawn so frequently calls them.”

{You Make Loving You So Easy}

“The one thing that Shawn loves the most about me is my confident yet subtle take it or leave it attitude.  It was the primary reason he was initially attracted to me.”

“The one thing that I love the most about Shawn is his smile and the personality that attaches thereto.  He has an amazing smile and every time I look at him he has the ability to make me feel like I’m the only person in the room without even uttering a word.”

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